Yarn handling method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved aspirator-shear unit for rapidly moving strand of yarn in which an aspirator nozzle is arranged with its axis in closely proximate more or less parallel relation to the yarn path, a fixed shear blade is situated laterally between the nozzle opening and the yarn, and a movable snubnosed shear blade is projected from an inoperative position on the opposite side of the yarn path from the aspirator nozzle and fixed blade across the yarn path into shearing relating with said fixed blade and finally to a deflecting position with its leading edge generally aligned with the nozzle opening. Preferably the aspirator nozzle axis is inclined at a small angle with respect to the yarn path to reduce the clearance from the yarn path required to physically accommodate the nozzle.

United States Patent Warwick, R.l.

[21] Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] YARN HANDLINGMETHOD AND APPARATUS 14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl 83/24,83/100, 226/97 [51] Int. Cl B65h 29/24 [50] Field ofSearch 83/27, 100,

3,090,268 5/ 1963 Edwards 83/ 100 3,191,553] 6/1965 Bunting, Jr. et al83/lO0X 3,452,910 7/1969 Richter 226/91 Primary Examiner-James M.Meister Attorneys-Albert P. Davis and Burnett W. Norton ABSTRACT: Animproved aspirator-shear unit for rapidly moving strand of yarn in whichan aspirator nozzle is arranged with its axis in closely proximate moreor less parallel relation to the yarn path, a fixed shear blade issituated laterally between the nozzle opening and the yarn, and amovable snub-v nosed shear blade is projected from an inoperativeposition on the opposite side of the yarn path from the aspirator nozzleand fixed blade across the yarn path into shearing relating with saidfixed blade and finally to a deflecting position with its leading edgegenerally aligned with the nozzle opening. Preferably the aspiratornozzle axis is inclined at a small angle with respect to the yarn pathto reduce the clearance from the yarn path required to physicallyaccommodate the nozzle.

Patented March 16, 1971 3,570,339

I 2 Sheets-$heet 2 a m. I FIG. 4

F I 6 INVENTOR.

HENRY A. VANDERSiP ATTORNEYS BW/ .M

YARN HANDLING METHOD AND APPARATUS This invention relates to anapparatus for cutting and handling a rapidly moving strand of yarnwithout slowing the movement of the strand.

, ln commonly assigned copending application Ser. Nof 653,767,f1led Jul.17, 1967, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,452,9l0,and

entitled Yarn Handling Apparatus, of which this invention is animprovement, there is disclosed and claimed a cutteraspirator device foryarn winding machines and the like in which an aspirator or suctionnozzle having a flared mouth is arranged with its axis generallyperpendicular to the strand path and its mouth in close proximity tothat path, for cooperation with a plungcrlike pressure deflector nozzledisposed on the other side of the strand path in coaxial relation withthe suction nozzle. The deflector nozzle is capable of bodily axialreciprocating motion toward and away from the suction nozzle mouth andthe head of the pressure nozzle is tapered to loosely fit within theflared mouth of the suction nozzle when the deflector nozzle isreciprocated toward the suction nozzle. Just downstream of the locus ofthe nozzles is a strand cutter which is operated to shear the strand ofyarn coincidentally with the plunger action of the deflector nozzle.When the yarn is to be cut, suction is established in the aspiratornozzle and air pressure delivered to the deflector nozzle causing thelatter to project across the yarn path, deflecting the yarn into thesuction nozzle mouth by the action of an air jet emitted by deflectornozzle as well as by the physical entry of the deflector nozzle headinto the suction nozzle mouth. Simultaneously, the yarn is cut bythecutter just a short distance below the nozzles, releasing a free endofthe yarn for engagement by the suction nozzle. The suction nozzlecontinues to withdraw the advancing yarn and to deliver the same to acollection chamber until the yarn is removed from the nozzle forrethreading into a winding operation.

The device of the earlier application performs in a very satisfactorymanner for most purposes but under certain unusually demandingconditions, it has been found to be a source of difficulty. Thus, whendrawing and winding the output of a filament extrusion system in whichthe yarn is stretched by means of Godet rolls while in a relativelysoft, hot state and then collected in a package, the operation of theearlier device occasionally results in the yarn becoming stuck to one ofthe Godet rolls and winding thereon instead of feeding onto the machine.Inasmuch as this conditioncan be removed only by halting the entireextrusion system, cleaning the Godet rolls, and then restarting theoperation of that system, a task which consumes an hour or longer, evenan occasional occurrence of this kind is a series defect. Accordingly,the cause of the difiiculty has been carefully investigated.

it has been discovered that as the running thread is initially cut anddrawn into the mouth of the suction nozzle, a slight loss in tension inthe strand occurs which leads to the introduction of a small amount ofslack in the strand. Under the influence of the high inertial forcescreated by the tremendous speed of the strand, this slack manifestsitself in the formation of a small bight or loop in the strand whichsticks to the surface of a Godet roll due to the soft, almost tackystate of the yarn. it has been found that the loss in tension inquestion is traceable to the time required in bending the yarnsubstantially 90 on entering the nozzle mouth. Thus, it follows that ifthis bend could be eliminated, the tendency of the strand to hang on theGodet roll during cutting would be greatly reduced.

The object of the invention is, therefore, to provide an improvedaspirator-shear unit for high speed strand winding machines in which thestrand enters the aspirator in a path conforming substantially to thepath of advance of the yarn during its winding on said machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide an aspirator shear unitof the type described wherein the aspirator is oriented with its axis inclosely-spaced more or less parallel relation to a portion of the yarnpath and a shear blade severs the yarn adjacent the plane of the nozzlemouth and positively deflects the cut end from the normal yarn path intothe mouth opening.

Another object is an aspirator-shear unit of the type described havingthe mouth of the aspirator positioned in closer proximity to the yarnpath by inclining the axis of the aspirator at a slight angle to thenormal yarn path.

These and other objects will be explained in detail by the followingdetailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view, partially in section, of the improvedaspirator-shear unit of the invention shown in conjunction with a supplypackage and takeup package to symbolically represent a conventionalstrand takeup machine;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view looking down on the unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial vertical cross section view taken along the line 3-3of FIG. 2, showing the shear blade in inoperative position;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but with theshear blade projected to its operative position in which the yarn issevered and deflected into the mouth of the aspirator;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view looking down substantiallyalong line5-5 of FIG. 1 showing the mounting of the aspirator nozzle onthe supporting platform; and

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the stationary blade of the shear showingthe preferred configuration of that blade.

The details of the winding machine with which the unit of the inventionis adapted to be associated appear in the aboveidentified applicationSer. No. 653,767, to which reference may be had, and are not repeatedhere. For purposes of this description, there is shown only a supplypackage S to represent a strand supply and a takeup package T torepresent a takeup means, with the strand Y moving along a predeterminedpath therebetween. Preferably this inclined slightly from the vertical.It will be appreciated that the type and construction of the windingmachine are not critical to this invention; rather, the invention in itsbroadest sense is adapted for use with any winding machine whichrequires during its operation that the yarn be severed and continuouslyadvanced, or even held more or less stationary, pending furthermanipulation of the yarn, e.g. in threading up a fresh takeup package.

To support the components of the present device, a platform 12 issupported from any convenient part of the winding machine (not shown) bymeans of a bracket 14, only a fragment of which is seen in FIGS. 1. and2. In order to provide clearance for the moving strand, Y, platform 12is deeply cut out as at 15 in one side somewhat closer to its outboardend, the walls of the cutout being designated 16 and 18 (see H08. 2 and5). Within this cutout is disposed the slightly flared mouth 20 of anaspirator nozzle 22, the inner walls of the eutout 15 being formed withshoulder surfaces 24 and 26 (FIGS. 1 and 5) to engage an external neck28 on the aspirator mouth. The aspirator can be permanently mounted onthe platform or arranged for detachment therefrom as desired, dependingupon the further'manipulation to be given to the yarn.

The design of the aspirator nozzle itself is of no material importanceto the invention, provided that a reasonably strong suction is createdat the mouth thereof, and the details of the aspirator, therefore, havebeen omitted. It will be sufficient to note that pressurized air isadmitted through the conduit 30 to the interior of the aspirator andexhausted through the hose 32, carrying with it any advancing yarn, andin passing through the nozzle creates a suction in the mouth 20 throughbore 34. The discharged yarn may be collected in the manner indicated inthe earlier application.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the strand Y passes through the cutout15 in the platform along a path generally adjacent the aspirator nozzle,and this path can extend parallel to the axis of the nozzle, if desired.However, the nozzle necessarily has some physical bulk, and it has beenfound that the aspirator nozzle and yarn path can be brought into closerproximity while still maintaining an essentially parallel relation ifthe aspirator axis and the yarn path converge at a slight angle of aboutl020 as appears in FIG. 1.

Interposed between the aspirator nozzle mouth 20 and the adjacentstretch of the yarn path is the fixed blade of the yarn shear or cutter.Preferably, this blade takes the form of a more or less rectangularblock 36 of hardened steel or like durable material mounted on the topsurface of a short shelf 37 projecting into the platform cutout andcarrying the shoulder surface 26 for supporting the side of the nozzleneck 28 adjacent the yarn path (see FIGS. 1 and 5). In its optimumconfiguration, the cutting block 36 has its top face 38 chamfered at avery slight angle, say about 5, downwardly from its outside to itsinside edge, i.e., nearest the nozzle mouth, and its side face 39adjacent the yarn path chamfered inwardly at a similar slight angle fromits top to its bottom edges, all as appears in FIG. 6. The edge ofintersection of the chamfered faces, designated 40, serves as thecutting edge. Preferably, the lowest side of the chamfered top face 38is aligned in substantially coplanar relation to the end of the mouth ofthe aspirator.

The upper surface of the platform 12 supports the movable blade of theshear, which is generally indicated by the numeral 42, and in order thatthe movement of that blade be held strictly within a predetermined path,side rails 44 and 46 are affixed by bolts 48 along opposite sides ofplatform 12, except that side rail 46 is interrupted to leave theplatform cutout 15 unobstructed. The side rails are undercut on theirmutually adjacent faces, as at 50, 52, and it will be appreciated thatthese rails define a fixed track precluding any movement other thanreciprocation along a precisely determined path. The upper face of theplatform may be grooved, as at 54, for further guiding effect, ifdesired.

The movable shear blade 42 is formed with a rather complexconfiguration. Its main component is a solid cutting head 60 having theshape in cross section of a trapezoid, the front face 62 thereofadjacent the yarn path being parallel to the yarn path and thus inclinedfrom the vertical. Along the lower edge of front face 62 is a notch 64which defines an edge 65 lying parallel with and cooperating with thecutting edge 40 of fixed shear blade 36 to sever the yarn when themovable head 60 is passed adjacent the top face 38 of the block. As bestseen in FIGS. 3 and 4, edge 65 is aligned with the front face 62 of head60. The side of the front face of the cutting head remote from theopening of the platform cutout 15 is formed with an integral extension66 which defines with the remainder of that face a notch through whichthe yarn path passes, the top face of the extension at its remote endsloping sharply downward, as at 68, and connecting at its terminationwith an integral flat guiding shoe 70. Shoe 70 has the form of a shallowrectangular block, with its inner face 71 adjacent the yarn pathpreferably sloping parallel to the face 62. The sides of guide shoe 70as well as of cutting head 60 are rabbeted to provide lateral flanges72, 74 for engagement with the undercut faces of the guide rails 44, 46on the platform. Thus, the entirety of the movable shear blade is firmlyconfined on the platform for movement along an exact linear path, beingheld against skewing in its track by the composite length of the headand guide shoe, and is therefore capable of reliable jam-free operation.

To protect the cutting head 60 from wear by the yarn, a recess shaped inplan as approximately three quadrants of a circle, is cut in the topsurfaces of head 60 and extension 66 in the margins thereof adjacent thenotch defined thereby, and a correspondingly-shaped wear-resistantceramic insert 76 (see FIG. 2) is affixed within the recess, the exposededges of insert 76 projecting slightly forwardly of the limits of thehead and extension and thus receiving the contact of the yarn.

In order to actuate the movable shear blade 42, one end of a threadedconnecting rod 80 is seated in a tapped aperture drilled in the face ofhead 60 opposite face 62, and the head is secured in any relativeposition along the rod by a locking bolt 82. The other end of rod 80 isthe piston ofpneumatic cylinder 84 held by an angle bracket 86 on theinboard portion of the platform. Air is supplied to cylinder 84 via anair line 88 under the control of a manually or electrically operatedvalve, not shown. The piston 80 may be spring biased to return tostarting position if desired.

The operation of the aforegoing device will be self-evident: actuationof the air cylinder 84 projects the entire movable shear blade 42 alongits track on platform 12, the lower surface of cutting head 60 passingclosely adjacent the top face 38 of the fixed shear blade block 36,severing the yarn with edge 40, and the blunt front face 62 of head 60positively deflects the cut end of the yarn from its normal path to aposition over the mouth 20 of the aspirator nozzle. Since cutting edge65 is aligned with front face 62 of head 60, the yarn advancing fromsupply package S is deflected toward mouth 20 of aspirator 22 by face 62substantially simultaneously with severing of the yarn. In view of thefact that the angle of deflection of the yarn is extremely slight theyarn is introduced to mouth 20 of aspirator 22 practicallyinstantaneously upon shearing. Further, by virtue of the fact that thecutting edges 40 and 65 are parallel with each other the severing actionof the yarn is virtually instantaneous. These factors coupled with thefact that the relief provided by the chamfer on face 38 affordsclearance for the cut advancing strand, the strand of yarn dives, thatis, thrusts itself into the mouth 20 of the aspirator under its linearmomentum. Once the yarn is in mouth 20 the suction existing in saidmouth attracts the yarn end into the aspirator which then discharges theyarn through hose 32 as fast as it is delivered. From the foregoing itwill be seen that the linear momentum of the advancing yarn is conservedduring shearing thereof, and that this momentum is utilizedadvantageously to introduce the yarn into aspirator 20.

Preferably the maximum projected position (see FIG. 4) of the blade 42has the corner defined by the intersection of the front face 62 and thecorresponding surface of extension 66 in registration with the nozzleaxis. This position could, of course, be adjusted, provided the nozzlemouth was not obstructed and the yarn end is delivered to the influenceof the nozzle suction.

Reference was previously made to the chamfering of top face 38 of thefixed cutting block at a slight angle. In addition to creating a sharperedge at 40, this measure is beneficial in relieving the severed yarn endfrom sliding contact with the top face 38 on the way to the nozzlemouth, but it is not essential to the invention.

The orientation of the unit and the yarn path can be rearranged to meetthe needs of any given type of takeup machine and where words oforientation have been employed, they are to be understood as relativeterms.

The embodiment described above is merely illustrative of the practice ofthe invention, and variations and modifications can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention except as set forthin the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for handling an advancing strand associated a predeterminedpath comprising, strand receiving means arranged in closely spacedrelationship to the strand path, said strand receiving means includingan opening for reception of the strand, said opening being disposedessentially parallel to said strand path; operative means for severingsaid strand and deflecting the advancing strand toward said strandreceiving means for reception thereby, and means for creating a zone ofnegative pressure at said opening to attract said strand therein.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said operative meansincludes shear means for severing the strand.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said operative meansfurther includes strand pusher means for deflecting the strand towardsaid strand receiving means.

4. Apparatus for handling an advancing strand moving along apredetermined path, comprising an aspirator having a mouth and an outletarranged with its axis extending in generally parallel closely spacedrelation to the strand path, and strand shearing means including a fixedblade disposed intermediate said aspirator mouth and the strand pathsubstantially at the level of said mouth, a movable blade adapted to bereciprocated along a straight line generally transverse to the nouleaxis from an inoperative position on the opposite side of the strandpath from the fixed blade, past the fixed blade to sever the strand, toan operative position with the blade end in nonobstructing adjacentrelation to the nozzle mouth, the severed strand end thus beingpositively deflected by the movable blade into the nozzle mouth, andactuating means for reciprocating said movable blade.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said aspirator is oriented with itsaxis converging with the strand path at an angle not greater than about6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said movable shear blade comprises asolid block having its end face adjacent the strand path substantiallyparallel with that path, one edge of said end face cooperating with saidfixed blade to sever the strand upon movement of the blade.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fixed blade has a top surfaceadjacent the path of the movable blade which terminates in a cuttingedge adjacent the strand path, said surface being inclined downwardly ata slight angle from said cutting edge to reduce the friction encounteredby the severed strand end in moving from the cutting edge to the nozzlemouth.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said fixed blade has a front surfaceadjacent the strand path, said front surface also being inclined at aslight angle from said cutting edge away from the strand path.

9. The apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the solid shear block moves alonga fixed track defined by spaced parallel rails.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rails restrain the solid shearblock against movement in any direction other than along saidreciprocating path.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said block is rigidly connected toa spaced guide shoe also moving along said fixed track and restrained bysaid rails, said shoe preventing said block from skewing and bindingbetween the rails.

12. A method of handling an advancing strand moving along apredetermined path from a supply source comprising the steps of,providing strand receiving means having an opening therein for thereception of said strand, arranging said strand receiving means closelyadjacent to said strand path with the opening essentially parallel tosaid strand path, severing the advancing strand to provide a free strandend from said supply while deflecting the strand end into substantialalignment with said opening to thus permit the linear momentum in theadvancing strand to thrust the strand end into said opening, andsimultaneously attracting the strand into said opening.

13. The method according to claim 12 including the step of a zone ofnegative pressure at said opening for attracting the strand.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said opening is disposedat an angle not exceeding 20 relative to said strand path.

1. Apparatus for handling an advancing strand associated a predeterminedpath comprising, strand receiving means arranged in closely spacedrelationship to the strand path, said strand receiving means includingan opening for reception of the strand, said opening being disposedessentially parallel to said strand path; operative means for severingsaid strand and deflecting the advancing strand toward said strandreceiving means for reception thereby, and means for creating a zone ofnegative pressure at said opening to attract said strand therein. 2.Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said operative means includesshear means for severing the strand.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim2 wherein said operative means further includes strand pusher means fordeflecting the strand toward said strand receiving means.
 4. Apparatusfor handling an advancing strand moving along a predetermined path,comprising an aspirator having a mouth and an outlet arranged with itsaxis extending in generally parallel closely spaced relation to thestrand path, and strand shearing means including a fixed blade disposedintermediate said aspirator mouth and the strand path substantially atthe level of said mouth, a movable blade adapted to be reciprocatedalong a straight line generally transverse to the nozzle axis from aninoperative position on the opposite side of the strand path from thefixed blade, past the fixed blade to sever the strand, to an operativeposition with the blade end in nonobstructing adjacent relation to thenozzle mouth, the severed strand end thus being positively deflected bythe movable blade into the nozzle mouth, and actuating means forreciprocating said movable blade.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 whereinsaid aspirator is oriented with its axis converging with the strand pathat an angle not greater than about 20*.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4wherein said movable shear blade comprises a solid block having its endface adjacent the strand path substantially parallel with that path, oneedge of said end face cooperating with said fixed blade to sever thestrand upon movement of the blade.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 whereinsaid fixed blade has a top surface adjacent the path of the movableblade which terminates in a cutting edge adjacent the strand path, saidsurface being inclined downwardly at a slight angle from said cuttingedge to reduce the friction encountered by the severed strand end inmoving from the cutting edge to the nozzle mouth.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein said fixed blade has a front surface adjacent the strandpath, said front surface also being inclined aT a slight angle from saidcutting edge away from the strand path.
 9. The apparatus as in claim 6wherein the solid shear block moves along a fixed track defined byspaced parallel rails.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said railsrestrain the solid shear block against movement in any direction otherthan along said reciprocating path.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10wherein said block is rigidly connected to a spaced guide shoe alsomoving along said fixed track and restrained by said rails, said shoepreventing said block from skewing and binding between the rails.
 12. Amethod of handling an advancing strand moving along a predetermined pathfrom a supply source comprising the steps of, providing strand receivingmeans having an opening therein for the reception of said strand,arranging said strand receiving means closely adjacent to said strandpath with the opening essentially parallel to said strand path, severingthe advancing strand to provide a free strand end from said supply whiledeflecting the strand end into substantial alignment with said openingto thus permit the linear momentum in the advancing strand to thrust thestrand end into said opening, and simultaneously attracting the strandinto said opening.
 13. The method according to claim 12 including thestep of a zone of negative pressure at said opening for attracting thestrand.
 14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said opening isdisposed at an angle not exceeding 20* relative to said strand path.